Base for chimney spark arresters



Dec. 31, 1935. J. sLocuM BASE FOR CHIMNEY SPARK ARRESTERS Filed Aug Allorney Patented Dec. 31, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT 'OFFIE BASE FOR CHIMNEY SPARK ARRESTERS James Slocum, Detroit, Mich.

Application August 8, 1935, Serial No. 35,324 3 Claims. 01. 183-97 My invention relates to a base for chimney spark arresters, shown in the accompanying drawing and more particularly described in the following specification and claims.

The difficulties confronting users of chimney spark arresters constructed of wire-or expanded metal, are largely the result of their installation on the chimney upon which the spark arrester may be mounted.

As is frequently the case the upper courses of brick forming a chimney are more or less broken, cracked, or weather beaten, and much of the mortar which ordinarily joins the brick together is missing, or worn by the weather to such an extent that when a spark arrester is installed upon the top of the chimney, there is constant danger of chimney sparks or hot embers, which though caught by the spark arrester and deflected downwardly upon the chim ney ledge,or upper surface of the chimney inside the spark arrester,may be blown laterally between the cracks in the brick,or between the lower edge of the spark arrester and the upper course of brick on which it rests.

One of the objects therefore, of the present invention is to provide a horizontal base portion adapted to rest snugly upon the top of the upper course of brick forming the chimney,thus protecting the latter from the action of the weather,-the spark arrester being mounted upon the rectangular or othershaped base. The base has a vertical flange of suitable height encircling the lower marginal edge of the spark arrester, to which it may be secured or not, as desired. The opening through the base is of suitable size to receive a plurality of collars of a relatively smaller cross-sectional area, and these are respectively designed to fit snugly the egress opening of the chimney on which the spark arrester is to be mounted-the collars having flanges overlapping the horizontal portion of the base.

A spark arrester may thus be easily assembled with a suitable base upon chimneys of varying size,quickly,-and at minimum expense.

Should the chimney require cleaning, the spark arrester, and its base assembly may be easily removed and replaced whenever necessary.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention further resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described, it being understood that changes may be made in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed without departing from the spirit of the same.

In the drawing accompanying the specification:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of one element comprising the base of the chimney spark arrester.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the coordinating base element. I g

Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the respective base elements in assembled relation.

Figure 4 is a perspective 'view of a spark arrester as it would appear mounted on the base when in position upon the chimney.

Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional View through the supporting base showing a fragment of a spark arrester mounted thereon, the base being installed in a chimney opening.

Referring now tothe letters of reference placed on the drawing, indicating the several parts.

A, denotes a chimney. B, designates the spark arrester in its entirety,--secured by suitable anchoring wiresC, to the walls of the chimney.

As indicated in my patent dated the 9th day of April, 1935, No. 1,997,204, the foraminous side walls 'D, have arc-shaped side walls bent toward each other, with the opposing edges spaced apart to provide a smoke exit E, extending the entire length of the device. Spaced from the side walls D, and their arc-shaped overlapping top portions, is an arc-shaped baiile screen F, having flanges E, at each end whereby the baflle-screen is secured to the forarninous end walls H, of the spark arrester.

I, denotes a sheet metal element comprising one member of a supporting base, formed of an L-shaped strip of metal slitted at spaced intervals so that the ends forming the corners of its horizontal portion Ia, may overlap, as clearly indicated in Figure 1 ;it being noted that one end of the upstanding flange Ib, overlaps the other end of the flange, to which it may be riveted or spot welded.

The opening bounded by the horizontal portion of the member is of such size as to adapt it to receive flanged collars J, (Figure 2) of varying sizes, in order that the downwardly projecting tubular portion may enter and snugly fit the egress opening of chimneys of relatively diflerent cross-sectional areas.

The flanged collar J, is also constructed of a single strip of sheet metal, its flanged portion being bent at right angles to the portion forming its depending collar,the flange being slitted as indicated in Ja,Figure 2,--to permit shaping the collar,-as will readily be understood. The overlapping vertical end Jb, of the collar is bent to overlap its opposite vertical end, to which it is spot-welded or otherwise secured.

In assembling the device upon the chimney, the sheet metal element I, is laid upon the top portion to surround the egress opening of the chimney. The flanged collar J, is then inserted through the opening of the element I, the collar projecting into and snugly fitting the chimney opening. The spark arrester is then mounted upon the sheet metal element I, the upstanding flange lb, of the latter overlapping the lower marginal edge of the spark arrester,-to which it may be secured if desired.

The spark arrester is then anchored to the chimney by means of the wires C, which at one end. engage the foraminous wall of the spark arrester and at the other end are secured to a wire encircling the chimney,-or it may be otherwise engaged if preferred.

The flange portion of the collar J, may be of any width desired,so as to overlap the line of demarcation between two or more courses of brick forming the chimney.

It will be obvious that the base may be of unitary construction instead of two separate elements, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention it will be evident that burning embers, sparks, and the like which fall upon the ledge formed. by the horizontal floor of the base, resting upon the top of the chimney, cannot be blown outwardly beneath the spark arrester and the top of the chimney or pass through cracks or crevices between the bricks,covered by the wall of the sheet metal depending collarto endanger the roof of the building or other property.

The sheet metal base also serves to protect the chimney against the action of the weather,-resulting in washing out the mortar between the bricks,-and thus the upper courses'of brick are protected against the weather and the appearance of the chimney improved.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. In combination with a spark arrester comprising a foraminous body; a sheet metal element adapted to overlie the wall of a chimney, having an upstanding flange encircling the lower marginal edge of the spark arrester mounted thereon, said sheet metal element being adapted to receive and support downwardly projecting flanged collars of relatively difierent cross-sectional areas, respectively designed to flt the egress opening of the chimney on which the spark arrester may be mounted; and a flanged collar extending downwardly through said sheet metal element into and fitting the chimney opening.

2. In combination with a spark arrester comprising a foraminous body; a supporting base consisting of a horizontal sheet metal element adapted to overlap the top wall of a chimney, having a vertical upstanding flange portion in flanking contact with the lower marginal edge of the walls of the spark arrester mounted thereon, and a downwardly directed collar portion extending into and fitting the egress opening of the chimney.

3. In combination with a spark arrester comprising a foraminous body; a supporting base consisting of a sheet metal element having a horizontal portion adapted to rest upon the wall of a chimney, with an upstanding flange encircling the outer lower marginal edge of the walls of the spark arrester mounted thereon; and a collar. portion projecting downwardly through the sheet metal element, into and fitting the walls of the .egress opening of the chimney; said. collar portion having a horizontal flange adapted to overlap the horizontal portion of said sheet metal element, on which the spark arrester is mounted.

JAMES SLOCUM. 

